Zenith Places Women in the Spotlight in Dubai

Zenith embarks on the debut edition of LVMH Watch Week with a new kind of innovation in its Defy collection with the Defy Midnight, a uniquely conceived line of women’s watches with a cosmic touch. In addition, the new Elite collection redefines the codes of 21st century watchmaking for the ultimate contemporary elegance.

With its new creations dedicated entirely to women, Zenith is elevating both ends of the spectrum of women’s watches. On one side, the resolutely contemporary Defy Midnight and on the other, the timelessly elegant Elite collection.
For its first purely feminine watch, Zenith sought inspiration from the cosmos. The Defy Midnight is a versatile sporty-chic timepiece with a uniquely celestial dial. As much a jewel as it is a watch, the Defy Midnight is the perfect companion for the women of today: confident, expressive and with a style of their own.

Housed in a 36mm stainless steel case embellished with brilliant-cut diamonds, the dial of the Defy Midnight gives Zenith’s „time to reach your star“ philosophy a literal, visual manifestation. Available in deep blue or grey colors, the dial features a glossy finish with a vertical gradient effect for an unprecedented depth. Portraying the night sky above the endless horizon, where the dark vastness of space gives way to the glimmer of starlight, the dial has an enchanting effect. Zenith’s faceted star emblem is the highest point in the depicted night sky. Completing the celestial landscape are stars of different sizes – some of which glow in the dark.
A third dial made of white mother-pearl with a vertical gradient effect evokes moonlight on a cloudy night. White diamonds are applied on every hour marker, except at 3 o’clock where the date window is placed.

Equipped with the automatic Elite in-house movement, the Defy Midnight provides dependable precision and autonomy of 50 hours. A star-shaped oscillating weight brings a galactic element to the case-back view.

The Defy Midnight features an assortment of bracelets and straps – the integrated stainless steel bracelet as well as a selection of colored satin and leather straps – that can easily be swapped by the wearer, allowing the watch to different looks and situations.

Patrimony Self-winding: Minimalist Elegance in a Midnight Blue Gown

Vacheron Constantin has introduced two new, minimalist women’s watches that combine a timeless elegance, a feminine silhouette and sparkling diamonds. The Patrimony is the ideal watch for women who are looking for an elegant, straightforward and technically demanding timepiece. The perfect form of the Patrimony self-winding is reserved, the appearance is understated, distinguished and aesthetically extremely appealing. Since 2004, the Patrimony line embodied timeless watchmaking, striking a perfect balance between classicism and modernity.

The Patrimony self-winding is available in two versions – with diameters of 36 and 36.5 mm. The pink gold cases are water-resistant up to 3 bar.
This watch is either available in a simple pink gold version or with diamonds. In the latter, the beauty of 68 round-cut diamonds carefully aligned on the bezel; and the ultimate touch of a diamond-set crown with a diamond. A spark that gives even greater intensity to the midnight to the midnight blue shimmer of the sunburst satin-finish dial.
The surface of the dial is subtly curved and punctuated by a pearl minute-track carved into the material. Sleek hour-markers, a date window at 6 o’clock, slender pink gold hours and minutes hands complemented by a slim seconds hand, delicately curved to follow the dainty outline of the dial.

Inside the Patrimony self-winding works the calibre 2450 Q6/2. This automatic movement provides a power reserve of at least 40 hours and operates at a frequency of 4 Hz. The movement and its beautifully openworked oscillating weight can be viewed through the sapphire crystal back.
Precision and reliability is what first comes to mind when we think of the movements of Vacheron Constantin. And we, like a lot of watch enthusiasts, are especially excited, when manufacturers incorporate their powerful automatic calibres (and the mechanical ones, too!) into women’s watches. The main problem is, of course, that these movements are usually bigger and heavier than quartz movements; only with the latter, the smallest women’s watches can be realized.

The minimalism, which the Patrimony self-winding radiates, is paired with a dark blue alligator leather strap, which enhances the slim design additionally.

For Men and Women: The New Tonda 1950 Lune

Two years after it first appeared, Parmigiani Fleurier is updating the aesthetic of the Tonda 1950 Lune with a model featuring a slate dial and a second design with round diamonds on the bezel. Both showcase the poetry of the „lunar calendar“ complication which illuminates their dial with a new layout. Behind this harmony, it is easy to forget the sheer mechanical complexity required to create an ultra-thin self-winding movement with so many time indications.

With a rose gold case matched with a slate colour dial, this Tonda 1950 Lune is the epitome of the classic elegant watch. The lunar calendar, displaying the two hemispheres, is located at 10 o’clock instead of its previous position at 12 o’clock. This offset layout balances the date at 3 o’clock, the logo at 1 o’clock, and the small seconds window at 6 o’clock. All of the time indications are structured to create a pleasingly harmonious dial.

On the other hand, the Tonda 1950 Lune with diamonds features a rose gold case, a mother of pearl dial, a beautiful complement to the light which plays across the stones – a combination which cannot fail to enthral. Additional touches adorn the piece, such as the moon at 10 o’clock which is set in the middle of a starry sky, and the gold outline around the date window at 4 o’clock. Lastly, the dial has been made smaller to accommodate a slightly broader bezel, allowing larger diamonds to be set within it, offering exceptional sparkle and brilliance, unlike any other.

The Tonda 1950 Lune owes its slender proportions to its calibre, the PF708, a mechanism combining precision and reliability with automatic winding thanks to its platinum micro-rotor. Its elements have been carefully arranged o the main plate to ensure the various time indications are harmoniously displayed. As is standard practice at Parmigiani Fleurier, and one of its hallmarks, it boasts hand-applied finishes and bevelled bridges. Its structure is complemented by „Côtes de Genève“ decoration.
The automatic movement works at a frequency of 3 Hz and provides a power reserve of 48 hours.

Parmigiani Fleurier delivers the Tonda 1950 Lune with alligator leather straps – black for the men’s models, red and indigo for the women’s models.

Audemars Piguet and the Code 11.59 Automatic Chronograph

Audemars Piguet has introduced a new watch line called Code 11.59 at the beginning of this year. Once again, the watch manufacturer was faced with the challenge of setting new standards. From the very beginning, the company has been working with the best craftsmen, who perform their profession at the highest level. Nevertheless, Audemars Piguet is constantly trying to penetrate new fields of highest craftsmanship and to advance the technical perfection of its own procedures and production standards.
With 13 models, including four complications, code 11.59 represents one of the most comprehensive launches in the history of Audemars Piguet. Also, for the first time the Manufacture is presenting a collection designed for both men and women.

The selfwinding chronograph’s deep blue or black lacquered dial offers a perfect mirror finish. The pink or white gold case echoes the polished gold curved indexes and singular numeral at 12 o’clock as well as the raised logo and long stick hands. The chronograph counters are circled by gold threads with polished V angles, a difficult finishing on lacquered dials. At the 3 o’clock position you will find the subdial for the hours, at 9 o’clock the one for the minutes. The small second is placed at 6 o’clock and at 4.30 Audemars Piguet has lodged the date window. The latter blends in seamlessly in the background of the dial.
Audemars Piguet has lacquered the inner bezel – depending on the version – in blue or black. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal which was specially designed for this collection. It is complex, double curved and glareproofed and with its arched profile it embodies the watch’s contemporary design. The glass’s internal surface is shaped like a dome, while its external surface is vertically curved from 6 to 12 o’clock. Its shape perfectly integrates the extra-thin bezel and extends from edge to edge. The play of depth, perspective and light creates a unique visual experience.

The new in-house calibre 4401 symbolizes Audemars Piguet’s constant quest for innovation. This calibre is endowed with an instant-jump date indication, integrated column wheel chronograph and flyback function that enables to re-start the chronograph without stopping and resetting it first. It has 70 hours of power reserve, as well as a dedicated pink gold beautifully openworked oscillating weight invisible through the sapphire crystal case back. This calibre also presents reinforced chronometry.
The movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz or 28,800 vibrations per hour and consists of 367 individual parts.

The Selfwinding Chronograph is housed in a 41-mm-case with a water-resistance of 3 atm and is fitted with a hand-stitched large square scale blue or black alligator strap.

Magical: The New Bovet Virtuoso V

The Bovet Virtuoso V paires jumping hours, retrograde minutes and a double-sided time display with a flamboyant red guilloché dial.

The heart of the Virtuoso V is undoubtedly its dial. It occupies the entire surface of the movement, giving it a completely new identity. While Bovet’s watchmakers ensured that all the information is displayed at the same level, the manufacturers of the dial created an unprecedented guilloche motif. The original stepped arrangement has given way to greater classicism, which enhances the artistic crafts and exemplary finishes of all the components. After decorating the metal base with a guilloché motif, they applied a dozen layers of translucent red lacquer. This creates an impression of depth as well as beautiful reflections that add the the dial’s magic.

In terms of technology, the Virtuoso V integrates two complications that are notoriously difficult to combine: jumping hours and retrograde minutes. The jump of the hour disk must be perfectly synchronized with the jump of the minute hand. This timepiece belongs to the Fleurier Complications Collection and is fitted with the patented Amadeo convertible case, allowing it to be transformed into a reversible wristwatch, a table clock, or a pocket watch, without the need for a single tool. As a result, hours and minutes can be found on both sides of the movement. A power reserve indicator completes the indications by displaying a remarkable autonomy of five days, ensured by the use of a single barrel. finally, to add to the timepiece’s functions, the watchmakers developed a corrector independent of the hour disk that can display a different time zone on each side of the timepiece.

The red or white gold Bovet case has a diamter of 43.5 mm and is water resistant up to 3 atm. Inside, works the calibre 13BM11 AIHSMR. The hand-wound movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and provides an impressive power reserve of 5 days.

Bovet delivers the Virtuoso V with an alligator leather strap and a red or white gold chain so that the watch can also be used as a pocket watch.

André Belfort Sirène: Feminine Elegance in Ceramic

André Belfort is known for making stunning wristwatches powered solely and exclusively by automatic movements – not only in the men’s watches, but in those for women as well. This is a rare feat, and something all watch enthusiasts (especially the female ones) would love to see more of. So today, we are introducing the André Belfort Sirène, a beautiful ceramic wristwatch, made for both sexes.

The André Belfort Sirène is a big and beautiful ceramic wristwatch, which comes in two basic versions – in white or black ceramic. The case measures 41 mm in diameter, which is slightly on the bigger side regarding unisex watches. But since big watches are still totally en vogue, it’s a size, most women should be comfortable with. The case is water resistant up to 5 atm which means, that the Sirène will play well in all every day scenarios. But since the ceramic case comes with a stainless steel case, it packs quite a punch and is maybe not as light as one might expect, so be prepared.

The dial combines a variety of subdials with big, polished, applied Roman numerals. Hours, minutes and seconds are displayed by central hands, equipped with lume. At 3 o’clock you’ll find the subdial of the month, at 9 o’clock the subdial for the day of the week. Now, the subdial at 6 o’clock is slightly larger and comes not only with a day/night display via a beautiful sun and moon disc but with a 24-hour-display. At the 4.30 position, André Belfort has wedged a small date window between the numerals.
The colors on the dial mirror the colors used on the bezel, crown and pushers – stainless steel, gold or pink gold, which creates an overall handsome and consistent look. The dial is protected by a scratch resistant sapphire crystal and framed by a beautiful bezel, fitted with a ceramic inlay.

Like mentioned above, the André Belfort Sirène is powered by an automatic movement, the calibre AB-7110. It provides a power-reserve of approximately 38 hours.

The ceramic case of the André Belfort Sirène is completed by a ceramic bracelet which means, that this watch is especially easy to clean and maintain. Ceramic watches tend to feel good – and look good – for a very long time.

The new Mido Baroncelli Midnight Blue

With the new Baroncelli Midnight Blue watches, Mido is commemorating its horological heritage. This watch is offered as a pair and is thus part of the Baroncelli line. Just perfect for all the couples who want to express their affiliation with two matching timepieces.

Mido has finished the deep blue dials of the Baroncelli Midnight Blue with a satin sunburst finish. The women’s model features diamond hour-markers, which further enhance the intensity of the blue hue. The Dauphine-shaped rose gold hour and minute hands are faceted, as are the beautiful lancet-shaped indexes of the men’s version.
There’s just one small complaint we have about the Baroncelli Midnight Blue and that is, that the dark blue dials are quite rudely interrupted by the white date windows at the 4.30 o’clock position. The dials are protected by a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides.

The round cases of the two timepieces are measuring 29 mm for the ladies‘ version and 38 mm for the men’s version. They are made of stainless steel with a rose gold PVD coating and are water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bar or 50 metres.

The two Baroncelli Midnight Blue are powered by an automatic movement. In the women’s model, the ETA 2671 operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour. It provides a power reserve of 38 hours. Mido has equipped the men’s watch with the Calibre 80 (based on the ETA C07.611), which provides a power reserve of up to 80 hours. However, it operates at a slightly lower frequency with 21,600 vibrations per hour. Both movements are decorated with Geneva stripes and the company logo. Mido has equipped both watches with a sapphire crystal back so the movements and its finish can be admired accordingly.

Mido has fitted both models with a Vachette leather strap in a semi-matte crocodile look.
In addition to the two Baroncelli Midnight Blue watches with rose gold coating, Mido also offers the pair in a stainless steel version.

Piaget Presents New Polo Versions at the SIHH 2019

The elegant Piaget Polo has represented the sporty and casual side of Piaget Manufacture since 1979, when the collection was first launched. This year’s Piaget Polo models capture the essence of the Maison in 2019, injecting the collection’s recurring vitality with a pop of colour and a dash of sparkle.

In 2016, the Piaget Polo debuted a refreshed look that updated its hallmark design for the new millenium. The slender proportions remained, but with a larger case size and a bezel that blended oblong and round shapes for an exuberant celebration of Piaget’s signature aesthetic. The classic faceted dauphine hands embraced a friendlier approach, trading sharp angles for softer curves. The bold horizontal dial and case godroons transitioned into dial guillochage that offered subtle texture without overpowering it.
Following the popularity of the steel launch models and the acclaimed 2018 introduction of gold to the new Piaget Polo, the 2019 models confidently move the collection into other areas of the Maison’s expertise – the use of colour and gem-setting.

The steel 42 mm Piaget Polo comes dressed in verdant hues, with a green dial that changes in tone and intensity depending on the angle of light that hits the guilloché surface. A dark green alligator leather strap completes the tone-on-tone look.

A second 42 mm model, this time in red gold, comes in two diamond-set versions. The first features a simple halo of brilliant-cut diamonds on the emblematic bezel, whilst the second is unrestrainedly spirited with a fully paved dial and bezel. These models come with two alligator straps for maximum versatility; a sober blue strap sets off the sparkle of diamonds while a deep gament strap emphasises the warmth of the red-gold case.

The new Piaget Polo models of 2019 are driven by the automatic calibre 1110P of Manufacture Piaget, ensuring a high level of timekeeping performance designed for our modern times. It works at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of approximately 50 hours.
All new Piaget Polo watches show hours, minutes, seconds, as well as a date at 6 o’clock.

The green model is limited to 500 pieces.

Raymond Weil Reinterprets Its Parsifal Line

Nearly three decades after its inception, Raymond Weil`s iconic parsifal collection returns this autumn 2018. First launched in the early 90’s, this heritage range for him and her has been reimagined by the Swiss watchmakers, adding a modern twist in time for gifting season.

Inspired by Richard Wagner’s last opera, this revisited collection of men’s and ladies‘ timepieces are the perfect accumulation of horology, classic aesthetics and accessible luxury. Raymond Weil shows in the new parsifal once again its deep attachment to its roots, and desire to preserve tradition as a source of inspiration – while, at the same time, refining the key design elements such as the curved outlines and cross link bracelet which have forged the identity of this symbolic collection. More key features include the gadroon bezel, classic two-tone steel and Roman numeral detailing. With a contemporary matte white dial, the crown is embellished with blue lacquer, adding a subtle pop of colour to the design.
Raymond Weil offers different versions of the new parsifal. The four men’s models all come with roman numerals, but different dials: black, blue or white with cases made from stainless steel and one in two-tone steel with a white dial. The ladies‘ parsifal comes in six different versions: Some are equipped with diamonds instead of roman numerals and there are two watches sporting a beautiful mother-of-pearl dial. And, as if that wouldn’t be enough, Raymond Weil also offers two watches with diamond stubbed bezels. How could one not be wooed?

 The parsifal comes with a diameter of either 41mm (the men’s version) or 30mm (the ladies‘ version). Inside a swiss made quartz movement provides the necessary power. The ladies‘ models only show hours and minutes, the men’s models also show seconds. Both versions also have a small date window at 3 o’clock.

The parsifal watches are not only a great to give for your significant other, they are also excellent for couples.

Patek Philippe: Impressive Technology Beautifully Wrapped

Ah, with one of its newest watches, Patek Philippe seduces all the ladies out there who want a beautiful, luxurious watch that simultaneously satisfies their needs for technical excellence. As early as 2009 the manufacturer introduced a chronograph exclusively for feminine wrists. It was the debut of a classic manufacture-made chronograph movement  (column wheel, horizontal clutch, manual winding) that had been developed entirely in-house. That was also expressed by the name of the watch: Ladies First Chronograph Ref. 7071, built until 2016. And now, the Genevan manufacture is enriching its collection with a new, captivating model.

The new chronograph Ref. 7150/250R-001 is a technically sophisticated watch with a totally new face. The cushion-shaped case has been replaced with an elegant, round rose-gold case with a diameter of 38 mm featuring a bezel set with 72 diamonds. Its timelessly sleek design is emphasized by refined vintage looking details such as the fluted and curved lugs, the round chronograph pushers with guilloched faces, and the cambered sapphire-crystal „box“ glass. The case is water-resistant up to 3 bar.

The silvery opaline dial also combines a contemporary style with classic aesthetics, showcasing sculpted Breguet hour and minute hands in rose gold and a display layout that makes it eminently legible. At 3.30 you’ll find the 30-minute-counter and the running seconds is placed at 9.30. The pulsometer scale of the new model pays tribute to the tradition of classic chronographs that can measure the cadence of an active lifestyle or slightly increased heart rate of its proud owner.

The compact case accommodates the manually winding calibre CH 29-535 PS movement with an instantaneous 30-minute counter. Patek Philippe has crowned its classic architecture with six patented innovations and its lavish finissage can be admired through the box-type sapphire-crystal case back that is slightly chamfered to echo the profil of the rear bezel. The movement works with 28.800 vph and boasts a power reserve of 65 hours.

The Ref. 7150/250R-001 is worn on a shiny mink gray alligator leather strap. Its rose gold buckle is encrusted with 27 diamonds.